Service organizations unite to help 3,000

Nearly 3,400 Aurora children and adults are having a merrier Christmas this season, thanks to a coalition of social service organizations including Fox Valley United Way, that combine holiday outreach efforts.

"We all have some type of family gift program at this time of year," said Deborah Collins, director of administration for Fox Valley United Way. "This year, we shared our lists, eliminated any duplicates and reached out to a record number of individuals needing assistance during the holidays."

"Many donors gave more, some less. But what's important is that as many kids as we can reach will have something to open on Christmas."

In addition to Fox Valley United Way, participating organizations in this combined Christmas outreach include: Catholic Charities in Aurora; Family Counseling Service in Aurora; Holy Angels Church in Aurora; Love Fox Valley, a separate but similar coalition of local churches, housing and counseling agencies; Rita's Ministry, a North Aurora agency that provides aftercare support for ex-offenders and their families, and which, during the holiday season, arranges gifts for children whose parents are incarcerated; Salvation Army in Aurora; and Visiting Nurses Association in Aurora.

Fox Valley United Way provides support for more than 50 human and social services agencies in Aurora, Big Rock, Bristol, Hinckley, Little Rock, Millbrook, Montgomery, Mooseheart, North Aurora, Oswego, Plano, Platteville, Sugar Grove and Yorkville.